Combination filter and unloading valve



Dec. 21, 1965 N; o. ROSAEN COMBINATION FILTER AND UNLOADING VALVE FiledApril 2, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F15. l. l 3

ATTQRNEYJ INVENTOR. IV/LS o. ROS/JEN BY fiue flq RESERVOH? Dem 1965 N.0. ROSAEN 3,224,584

COMBINATION FILTER AND UNLOADING VALVE Filed April 2, 1962 2Sheets-Sheet 2 RESERVOIR BY PASS G NEEDS OFERATNG INVENTOR. j N/LJ O.ROSA/5N United States. Patent 3,224,584 COMBINATION FILTER AND UNLOADINGVALVE Nils 0. Rosaen, Bloomfield Hills, Mich, assignor to The RosaenFilter Company, Hazel Park, Mich a corporation of Michigan Filed Apr. 2,1962, Ser. No. 184,339 7 Claims. (Cl. 21091) This invention relates tofluid filters and more particularly to a filter device having meansoperable to provide a continual circulation of fluid even when the useris not operating.

It is important in. fluid systems utilizing a heated fluid or fluidswhich will thicken or separate upon being permitted to stand for evenlimited periods of time that the fluid be kept in constant circulationeven while the user is not operating. The present invention provides afiltering device producing this result and at the same time having meansinsuring that any fluid reaching the user will be properly filtered.

It is an object of the present invention then to prevent fluid fromremaining immobile while the user is not operating by providing meansautomatically operable upon non-use of the user to circulate fluid backto the fluid reservoir.

It is a further object of the present invention to prevent unfilteredfluid from reaching the user while at the same time insuring that thefilter Will not rupture by providing means operable to conduct fluidpast the filter and the user if the filter becomes clogged.

It is yet another object of the present invention to improve filterdevices by providing means indicating the clogged condition of thefilter as Well as the circulating condition of the fluid.

Still further objects and advantages will readily occur to one skilledin the art to which the invention pertains upon reference to thefollowing drawings in which like reference characters refer to likeparts throughout the several views and in which FIG. 1 is a crosssectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 1 but illustrating thedevice in a different operating position.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken substantially at line 3-3 of FIG.1.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken substantially at line 4--4 ofFIG. 1, and

FIG. 5 is a top elevational view of the device shown in FIG. 1.

Now referring to the drawings for a more detailed description, apreferred filter device is illustrated as comprising a body memberhaving a preferably substantially cylindrical filter chamber 11. A capmember 12 is secured to the body member 10 by bolts 12A or the like andcloses one end of the filter chamber 11. An O-ring seal 13 is providedbetween the body member 10 and the cap member 12. An inner wall portion14 of the body member 10 is provided at the end of the filter chamber 11opposite the cap member 12.

The cap member 12 has an outlet chamber 15 which provides communicationbetween the filter chamber 11 and an outlet 16. The outlet 16 is adaptedto be connected to a user 17.

Aligned openings 1819 are provided in the cap member 12 and the wallportion 14 respectively and provide the means by which a rod 20 iscarried. The rod 20 has a threaded end portion 21 and a flanged endportion 22. A nut member 23 cooperates with the flanged end portion 22to prevent displacement of the rod 20; The rod 20 has a hollow portion24 which extends from the end carried in the wall portion 14 to a pointspaced from the ice threaded end portion 21. O-ring seals 25A and 25Bprevent fluid leakage through the openings 18 and 19 respectively. Therod 20 is provided with a reduced portion 20A. An outwardly extendingcylinder 26 is provided on the body member 10 in alignment with theopening 19 and is provided with an outlet 27 adapted for connection witha fluid reservoir 28. A cap 29 is secured to the cylinder 26 by anymeans such as screws 29A. The cap 29 is provided with a threaded opening29B in axial alignment with the opening 19.

A threaded rod 30 is carried in the threaded opening 29B and has a shankportion 31 disposed in the cylinder 26. A lock nut 32 locks the rod 30in a desired axial position. A spring member 33 bears against a seat 33Acarried by the rod 30 and urges a frusto-conical valve member 34 to moveaxially along the rod 30 and extend into the end of the hollow portion24 of the rod 20. The hollow portion 24 has an inner peripheral surface35 which forms a seat for the valve 34.

An inlet 36 is provided in the body member 10 opening to the filterchamber 11 and adapted for connection to a pump 37. The pump 37 ispreferably connected to the fluid reservoir 28.

A filter assembly 38 is axially slidably carried on the rod 20 in thefilter chamber 11 intermediate the inlet 36 and the outlet chamber 15.The filter assembly 38 comprises a preferably cylindrical filter element39 having a porous surface and a carrier structure 40. The carrierstructure 40 preferably comprises an annular member 41 having anintegralcylindrical boss portion 42 and an annular flange portion 43. Thecarrier structure 40 also comprises an annulus 44 having a surface 45closely adjacent the body member 10 and a flange portion 46 extendinginwardly from a surface 47 opposite the surface 46. A seal 48 is seatedin an annular recess 49 provided in the surface 45 and slidably engagesthe body member 11. The flange portion 46 is preferably provided withside surfaces 50 which incline inwardly from a point spaced from the endof the flange portion 46 and extend closely adjacent to the peripheralsurface of the rod 20 when the carrier structure 40 is in the positionshown in FIG. 1. Annularly spaced screws 51 join the annular member 41and the annulus 44 and act to retain the filter element 39 sandwichedtherebetween. The flange portion 46 is provided with a port 46A. Theboss portion 42 is provided with a plurality of annularly spaced ports52.

The rod 20 is provided with a plurality of annularly spaced ports 53which open to the hollow portion 24 and Which are disposed to registerwith the openings 52 when the carrier structure 40 is abutting againstthe wall portion 14 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. A spring member 55 seatsagainst the cap member 12 and urges the carrier structure 40 to movetowardthe wall portion 14.

A pin 56 extends through the body member 11 and is provided at one endwith a substantially annularly extending arm 56A which engages theflange portion 43 of the annular member 41. The other end of the pin 56carries a pointer 58 exteriorly of the body member 11. An indicatorplate 59 is secured to the exterior surface of the body member 11 andthe pointer 58 is positioned to point to indicia printed on theindicator plate 59 as can best be seen in FIG. 5.

In operation, fluid is pumped from the reservoir 28 to the inlet 36 bythe pump 37. The fluid enters the filter chamber 11 under pressure andwill normally pass through the filter element 39. If the user 17 isoperating, then a pressure differential will be produced across theannulus 44. When this differential is sufficient to overcome the springmember 55, the carrier structure 40 will move to the position indicatedby the dotted lines shown in FIG. 1 and the fluid will pass through theout- 3 let chamber 15 and through the outlet 16 to the user 17. In thisposition the ports 52-53 no longer register and fluid is prevented frompassing from the filter chamber 11 to the hollow portion 24 of the tube20.

If the user is turned off and no longer requires fluid or the amount offluid used is diminished, the pressure ditferential across the annulus44 will diminish due to the increase in pressure at the outlet 16 andthe spring member 55 will return the carrier structure 40 to thefullline position shown in FIG. 1. The port 46A insures that the carrierstructure 40 will continue to move until it abuts the wall 14. In thisposition the flange portion 46 of the annulus 44 will extend closelyadjacent the surface of the rod 20 to substantially close fluid flowfrom the inlet 36 through the outlet chamber 15 and through the outlet16. Also in this position the ports 52-53 will be in registry and fluidwill flow under pressure into the hollow portion 24. The pressure of thefluid will open the valve 34 against the force of the spring 33 andfluid will be returned by the pump 37 to the reservoir 28. The amount ofpressure required to open the valve 34 may be varied by axiallyadjusting the rod 30 so that the opening of outlet 27 may or may notoccur simultaneously with the closing of outlet 16.

Each of the positions of the carrier structure 40 will result in acorresponding position of the pointer 58. The indicator plate 59 thenmay be supplied with the proper indicia to indicate whether the user isoperating or not operating as indicated in FIG. 5.

As the filter member 39 becomes clogged, a pressure differential will becreated across the annular member 41 which will cause the carrierstructure 40 to move even farther away from the wall portion 14 as shownin the dotted line position of FIG. 1. The pointer 58 will assume aposition corresponding to this axial movement of the carrier structure40. When the filter member 39 becomes so clogged that there is danger ofit rupturing, the carrier structure 40 will have moved to a positioneven farther away from the wall portion 14. In this position the bossportion 42 will have moved past the ports 53 and fluid will enter thehollow portion 24, open the valve 34, and be returned to the reservoir28. The pointer 58 will also indicate this position of the carrierstructure 40.

It is apparent from the foregoing description that the present inventionprovides means preventing fluid from remaining inert even after the useris no longer being operated and a bypass means which insures that whenthe filter has become so clogged as to produce a danger of rupturing,the fluid will be pumped back to the reservoir.

It is apparent that many changes and modifications may be made in thepresent invention without departing from its spirit or the scope of theappended claims.

I claim:

1. A filter device comprising (a) a body member having an inlet and anoutlet,

(b) a first rod carried in said body member,

(c) a filter member axially slidably carried on said rod intermediatesaid inlet and said outlet and comprising a filter element having aporous filter surface and a carrier structure,

(d) said body member being provided with an inner wall portion and asecond outlet being provided in said inner wall portion,

(e) a first valve means disposed intermediate said filter element andsaid first mentioned outlet and responsive to a pressure increase atsaid first mentioned outlet to variably diminish fluid flow to saidfirst mentioned outlet,

(f) said first valve means comprising means urging said carrierstructure to abut against said inner wall portion, said carrierstructure having an annular flanged portion axially aligned with saidrod, said annular flanged portion extending closely adjacent aperipheral portion of said rod when said carrier structure abuts saidinner wall portion whereby to substantially close fluid flow from theoutlet side of said filter element to said first mentioned outlet, andsaid flanged portion moving away from said peripheral portion when saidcarrier structure moves axially away from said inner wall portionwhereby to open fluid flow from the outlet side of said filter elementto said first mentioned outlet,

(g) a second valve means carried in said body member intermediate sadinlet and said second outlet and operable to open a fluid flow throughsaid second outlet in response to a predetermined decrease in thepressure diflerential between said inlet and said first mentionedoutlet.

2. The device as defined in claim 1 and including means operable to opena bypass path directly from said inlet to said second outlet bypassingsaid filter element upon a predetermined increase in the pressuredifierential across said filter element.

3. A filter device comprising r (a) a body member having an inlet, afirst outlet and a second outlet,

(b) a filter element carried in said body member intermediate said inletand said outlet,

((1) pressure responsive means axially movable within said body memberin response to changes in the pressure differential across said filterelement,

(d) means urging said pressure responsive means toward a first axialposition,

(e) a first valve means actuated by said pressure responsive means tomove to a position closing fluid flow through said first outlet at saidfirst axial position of said pressure responsive means,

(f) said pressure responsive means being operable to move axiallyagainst said urging means and to a second axial position upon anincrease in the pressure differential across said filter element,

(g) said first valve means being disposed intermediate the outlet sideof said filter element and said first outlet and being actuated by saidpressure responsive means to open fluid flow through said first outletat said second axial position of said filter element,

(h) a second valve means disposed intermediate the inlet side of saidfilter element and said second outlet and actuated by said pressureresponsive means to open fluid flow through said second outlet at saidfirst axial position of said pressure responsive means and to closefluid flow through said second outlet at said second axial position ofsaid pressure responsive means,

(i) said pressure responsive means being operable to move axiallyagainst said urging means and to a third axial position upon a furtherincrease in the pressure differential across said filter element, and

(j) a bypass means disposed intermediate the inlet side of said filterelement and said second outlet and actuated by said pressure responsivemeans to open fluid flow through said second outlet at said third axialposition of said pressure responsive means.

4. The device as defined in claim 1, and in which said second valvemeans comprises (a) said first rod having a hollow portion at an endclosely adjacent said inner wall portion and registering with saidsecond outlet,

(b) a second rod carried in said body member in axial alignment withsaid hollow portion,

(c) a frusto-conical valve member slidably carried on said second rodand normally seated in said hollow portion,

(d) means urging said valve to seat in said hollow portion,

(e) means providing communication between the inlet side of said filtermember and the hollow portion of said first rod when said carrierstructure abuts against said wall portion, and

(f) said last mentioned means being operable to diminish fluid flow tosaid hollow portion as said carrier structure moves away from said wall.

5. The device as defined in claim 4 and in which said last mentionedmeans comprises ports in said carrier structure and said first rod whichare positioned to register when said carrier structure abuts said wall.

6. The device as defined in claim 5 and including indicator meansoperably connected to said carrier structure and operable to indicatethe axial position of said carrier structure with respect to said firstrod.

7. The device as defined in claim 3 and including means carriedexteriorly of said body member and engaging said pressure responsivemeans to indicate the axial position thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,874,847 8/1932Arnold 210-136 2/1938 Dalryrnplle 210-130 5/1947 Gilman 137-115 7/1947LeClair 210-133 4/1948 Kasten 210-130 3/1950 Greer 210-90 3/1951Schneider 137-115 4/1951 Hunter 210-130 9/1952 Davies 137-117 2/1957Rainson 210-136 1/1963 Stroder 137-119 2/1963 Rosaen 210-90 3/1963Rosaen 210-90 FOREIGN PATENTS 5/ 1958 Switzerland.

20 REUBEN FRIEDMAN, Primary Examiner.

HERBERT L. MARTIN, Examiner.

1. A FILTER DEVICE COMPRISING (A) A BODY MEMBER HAVING AN INLET AN INLETAND AN OUTLET, (B) A FIRST ROD CARRIED IN SAID BODY MEMBER, (C) A FILTERMEMBER AXIALLY SLIDABLY CARRIED ON SAID ROD INTERMEDIATE SAID INLET ANDSAID OUTLET AND COMPRISING A FILTER ELEMENT HAVING A POROUS FILTERSURFACE AND A CARRIER STRUCTURE, (D) SAID BODY MEMBER BEING PROVIDEDWITH AN INNER WALL PORTION AND SECOND OUTLET BEING PROVIDED IN SAIDINNER WALL PORTION, (E) A FIRST VALVE MEANS DISPOSED INTERMEDIATE SAIDFILTER ELEMENT AND SAID FIRST MENTIONED OUTLET AND RESPONSIVE TO APRESSURE INCREASE AT SAID FIRST MENTIONED OUTLET TO VARIABLY DIMINISHFLUID FLOW TO SAID FIRST MENTIONED OUTLET, (F) SAID FIRST VALVE MEANSCOMPRISING MEANS URGING SAID CARRIER STRUCTURE TO ABUT AGAINST SAIDINNER WALL PORTION, SAID CARRIER STRUCTURE HAVING AN ANNULAR FLANGEDPORTION AXIALLY ALIGNED WITH SAID ROD, SAID ANNULAR FLANGED PORTIONEXTENDING CLOSELY ADJACENT A PERIPHERAL PORTION OF SAID ROD WHEN SAIDCARRIER STRUCTURE ABUTS SAID INNER WALL PORTION WHEREBY TO SUBSTANTIALLYCLOSE FLUID FLOW FROM THE OUTLET SIDE OF SAID FILTER ELEMENT TO SAIDFIRST MENTIONED OUTLET, AND SAID FLANGED PORTION MOVING AWAY FROM SAIDPERIPHERAL PORTION WHEN SAID CARRIER STRUCTURE MOVES AXIALLY AWAY FROMSAID INNER WALL PORTION WHEREBY TO OPEN FLUID FLOW FROM THE OUTLET SIDEOF SAID FILTER ELEMENT TO SAID FIRST MENTIONED OUTLET, (G) A SECONDVALVE MEANS CARRIED IN SAID BODY MEMBER INTERMEDIATE SAID INLET AND SAIDSECOND OUTLET AND OPERABLE TO OPEN A FLUID FLOW THROUGH SAID SECONDOUTLET IN RESPONSE TO A PREDETERMINED DECREASE IN THE PRESSUREDIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN SAID INLET AND SAID FIRST MENTIONED OUTLET.